A bus lover’s holiday, a global connection and a proud Dad moment
BY STEVE HILLSON, OPERATIONS MANAGER, TORRENS TRANSIT
When you work in public transport, it's probably no surprise that buses find their way into your holiday plans.
Recently, while travelling through the UK with my family, I visited Huyton Travel, Kelsian's Liverpool operation. What started as a quick stop quickly became one of the highlights of our trip, reminding me just how connected we are as part of a truly global organisation.
From the moment we arrived, the team made us feel incredibly welcome. A huge thank you to John, Steve, Alan and everyone at the depot for taking the time to show us around and share a glimpse into their world. A special mention also goes to the supervisor on duty, who went above and beyond to make my family feel at home.
What struck me most was how familiar everything felt. Despite being on the other side of the world, we shared a passion for delivering great transport services, supporting local communities, and creating positive passenger experiences. While the accents and surroundings may have been different, the team's commitment and pride felt very much like home.
Being part of Kelsian gives us the unique opportunity to connect with colleagues across countries, cultures and operations. Seeing firsthand how another Kelsian business operates reinforced the scale of what we do as a group and the value of the people who make it happen every day.
While in Manchester, we also took a ride on the Bee Network’s Leigh guided busway. As someone who knows Adelaide’s O-Bahn well, I couldn’t resist seeing how it compared. It was fascinating to experience a different system and see how communities across the globe are using innovative public transport solutions to move people efficiently.
Perhaps the most memorable part of the visit wasn't about buses at all.
Watching my family experience the warmth and hospitality of colleagues they had never met before was a proud moment. It reminded me that Kelsian is more than a collection of transport businesses. It's a network of passionate people who share common values, support one another and create connections that span continents.
As a dad, seeing my child welcomed so warmly by people from the other side of the world was something special. It showed her that no matter where you are, great people and shared passions bring communities together.
Experiences like these make me proud to be part of Kelsian and grateful for the opportunity to connect with colleagues around the globe. And yes, I can confirm that even on holiday, I'll still find time to check out a bus depot or two. Some habits are hard to break! 🚌
